Connect

Uncertainty remains over future of Syria safe zones

A "safe zone" in Syria? The US tried it with Turkey before. It didn't work.

President Donald Trump has tweeted twice about the possibility of establishing a "20 mile safe zone" in Syria, something he has said is part of his decision to pursue a total withdrawal of US troops from Syria, a decision that sparked several high profile resignations from his administration.

Trump has also said that he was working with his Turkish counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on the concept of such a safe zone, but has provided little in the way of additional details as to what exactly such a zone would look like.

"Spoke w/ President Erdogan of Turkey to advise where we stand on all matters including our last two weeks of success in fighting the remnants of ISIS, and 20 mile safe zone. Also spoke about economic development between the US & Turkey - great potential to substantially expand!," Trump tweeted last Monday.